The Quickest Method to Soften Brown Sugar

Dried-out, rock-hard brown sugar happens to the perfect of us, and we’re all conversant within the conventional ideas actually useful to get it light as soon as extra: stick a slice of bread or an apple wedge throughout the bag, and osmosis will kick in in a single day. Nevertheless critically, in what universe is that wise? I would love cookies now!

Nevertheless, why waste meals when it’s possible you’ll return a brick of brown sugar to its former glory in decrease than a minute? Beneath, I share a easy trick I perfected in my restaurant days, when harried line cooks would typically raid the brown sugar bin and go away the lid cracked open. Let’s take a extra in-depth check out the popular methods for softening brown sugar.

Frequent Methods for Softening Brown Sugar

Search the online for “among the finest methods to soften brown sugar” and in addition you’re certain to have your palms full with methods. Although these methods are broadly used, they’re impractical when it is important soften brown sugar fast.

• Using bread or apple slices: Whereas this method is widespread, it’s a waste of meals and will take anyplace between eight to 24 hours—every pretty large drawbacks. Plus, you need to deliberate to take away the bread or apple afterwards to forestall mould. My recommendation: save your apple slices and bread for a cheese plate.
• Using an oven: This method requires heating brown sugar in a low oven and stirring it every couple of minutes until softened. As quickly as light, the brown sugar must be cooled completely sooner than you utilize it. Preheating my oven, warming the sugar, then letting it cool is an prolonged course of than I’ve time for.
• Using a meals processor: Merely pulse brown sugar in a meals processor until the hardened clumps break apart. The draw again? You’ll have to scrub all the parts if you’re executed. Oh, and in addition you’ll need a meals processor.
• Using a discipline grater: I am pretty eager on my fingertips so this method is a go for me.
• Using a brown sugar saver or terracotta: This one requires advance planning: it is important soak the devices in water first, then add it to the brown sugar. The terracotta will soften the brown sugar in about an hour, and it’s possible you’ll retailer the two collectively to keep up points moist. Aside from it being a single-use kitchen gadget, you could have to remember to soak the terracotta typically to keep up the sugar continuously light.

A Simpler Approach: Add Water and Knead in a Bag

All you need is 1/8 of an oz (i.e., 3/4 teaspoon, or 3.5 grams) of water for every eight ounces of dried-out brown sugar. (Merely one more reason all people ought to private a digital kitchen scale; with out one, the perfect you’ll be able to do is guess.)

Combine the sugar and water in a zip-top bag, press out the air, seal, and zap for 15 seconds throughout the microwave. A portion of the sugar will look completely melted, and that’s merely glorious. Working by the bag, press on that melty spot alongside along with your fingers to start out out breaking up the lumps, then knead the brown sugar until it’s homogeneous. It’s a surprisingly soothing course of, squishing the good and comfortable sugar throughout the bag, which is ready to help cut back the stress you almost certainly felt upon discovering that your brown sugar was arduous as a rock.

No microwave? No draw back. Merely seal the bag and let the water stand with the sugar for about half-hour sooner than you get to work.

By kneading water immediately into the sugar, you’re instantly altering (and distributing) what was misplaced, a vastly further actual and environment friendly path to rehydrating brown sugar than indirect methods equivalent to sliced fruit, bread, or maybe a moist paper towel positioned over the sugar in a bowl. Plus, no meals waste or dirty dishes. The brown sugar could be saved immediately throughout the zip-top bag.

One of the simplest ways to Retailer Brown Sugar

Brown sugar, along with rehydrated brown sugar, must be saved in an airtight container. As long as it’s not uncovered to air and moisture, brown sugar will closing indefinitely.

April 2017